Motorized two-piece videocassette adaptor

Abstract

A cartridge adaptor for converting a cartridge for use in a conventional video cassette machine. The adaptor has a motor to move tape connection structures onto the take-up reel prior to use in the videotape machine. The motor and associated mechanisms also return the tape to the cartridge at the conclusion of use.

We claim: 
     
       1. A motorized adaptor for use with a cartridge of the type having a single supply reel, said single supply reel adapted to store tape, and having a length of tape wound thereon, said supply reel having a flange, said flange having a plurality of gear-form teeth on the periphery of said flange forming a supply reel gear flange, said adaptor comprising: an adaptor housing having a cartridge reception cavity, said cartridge reception cavity adapted to receive said cartridge;   a take-up reel located within said adaptor housing laterally adjacent said cartridge reception cavity, said take-up reel having a flange, said flange having a plurality of gear-form teeth located around the periphery of said flange forming a take-up reel gear flange;   gear train means for driving said supply reel gear flange and for driving said take-up reel gear flange;   motor means located within said adaptor housing coupled to said gear train means for supplying rotational motion to said gear train means;   power means coupled to said motor means for supplying power to said motor means;   initiation means located within said adaptor housing coupled to said motor means for starting an internal wind cycle and for starting an internal rewind cycle;   termination means located within said adaptor housing coupled to said motor means for stopping said internal wind cycle and for stopping said internal rewind cycle;   whereby said tape is moved from said supply reel toward said take-up reel during said internal wind cycle and said tape is moved from said take-up reel toward said supply reel during said internal rewind cycle.   
     
     
       2. The motorized adaptor of claim 1 wherein said gear train means includes: direction reversing subassembly means for altering the direction of rotation of at least a portion of said gear trains means in response to the direction of rotation of said motor means.   
     
     
       3. The motorized adaptor of claim 2 wherein said direction reversing subassembly means comprises: a transfer gear arm, adapted for movement through an arc, centered about a first pivot axis, from a first position to a second position;   a transfer gear located on said transfer gear arm mounted for rotation about a first rotation axis;   whereby said transfer gear arm moves from said first position to said second position in response to the direction of rotation of said motor means, said first position corresponding to a first gear ratio, and said second position corresponding to a second gear ratio different from said first gear ratio.   
     
     
       4. The motorized adaptor of claim 2 wherein said direction reversing subassembly means comprises: a transfer gear arm, adapted for movement through an arc, centered about a first pivot axis, from a first position to a second position;   a transfer gear located on said transfer gear arm mounted for rotation about a first rotation axis;   whereby said transfer gear arm moves from said first position to said second position in response to the direction of rotation of said motor means, said first position corresponding to a first gear rotation direction, and said second position corresponding to a second gear rotation direction different from said first gear rotation direction.   
     
     
       5. The motorized adaptor of claim 1 wherein said gear train means includes: clapper gear subassembly means for engaging said gear train means with either said take-up reel gear flange or said supply reel gear flange in response to the direction of rotation of said motor means.   
     
     
       6. The motorized adaptor of claim 5 wherein said clapper gear subassembly means comprises: a clapper gear arm, adapted for movement through an arc, centered about a second pivot axis, from a first position to a second position;   a clapper gear located on said transfer gear arm mounted for rotation about a second rotation axis;   whereby said clapper gear arm moves from said first position to said second position in response to the direction of rotation of said motor means, said first position corresponding to engagement with said take-up reel gear flange, and said second position corresponding to engagement with said supply reel gear flange.   
     
     
       7. The motorized adaptor of claim 1 wherein said motor means comprises: a reversible electric motor having a first polarity corresponding to a first direction of rotation, and having a second polarity corresponding to a second direction of rotation.   
     
     
       8. The motorized adaptor of claim 7 wherein said initiation means comprises: user activated switch means for selecting between said first and second polarities.   
     
     
       9. The motorized adaptor of claim 1 wherein said power means comprises: a battery located with said adaptor housing.   
     
     
       10. The motorized adaptor of claim 1 wherein said termination means comprises: a first limit switch for removing power from said motor means when said tape is proximate said take-up reel, defining the conclusion of said internal wind cycle.   
     
     
       11. The motorized adaptor of claim 1 wherein said termination means comprises: a second switch for removing power from said motor means when said tape is proximate said supply reel, defining the conclusion of said internal rewind cycle.   
     
     
       12. The adaptor of claim 1 wherein said termination means comprises: a first limit switch for removing power from said motor means when said tape is proximate said take-up reel, defining the conclusion of said internal wind cycle;   a second switch for removing power from said motor means when said tape is proximate said supply reel, defining the conclusion of said internal rewind cycle.   
     
     
       13. A motorized adaptor for use with a cartridge of the type having a single supply reel, said single supply reel adapted to store tape, and having a length of tape wound thereon, said supply reel having a flange, said flange having a plurality of gear-form teeth on the periphery of said flange forming a supply reel gear flange, said adaptor comprising: an adaptor housing having a cartridge reception cavity, said cartridge reception cavity adapted to receive said cartridge;   a take-up reel located within said adaptor housing laterally adjacent said cartridge reception cavity, said take-up reel having a flange, said flange having a plurality of gear-form teeth located around the periphery of said flange forming a take-up reel gear flange;   gear train means for driving said supply reel gear flange and for driving said take-up reel gear flange;   clapper gear subassembly means for engaging said gear train means with either said take-up reel gear flange or said supply reel gear flange in response to the direction of rotation of said motor means;   motor means located within said adaptor housing coupled to said gear train means for supplying rotational motion to said gear train means;   power means coupled to said motor means for supplying power to said motor means;   initiation means located within said adaptor housing coupled to said motor means for starting an internal wind cycle and for starting an internal rewind cycle;   termination means located within said adaptor housing coupled to said motor means for stopping said internal wind cycle and for stopping said internal rewind cycle;   whereby said tape is moved from said supply reel toward said take-up reel during said internal wind cycle and said tape is moved from said take-up reel toward said supply reel during said internal rewind cycle.   
     
     
       14. A motorized adaptor for use with a cartridge of the type having a single supply reel, said single supply reel adapted to store tape, and having a length of tape wound thereon, said supply reel having a flange, said flange having a plurality of gear-form teeth on the periphery of said flange forming a supply reel gear flange, said adaptor comprising: an adaptor housing having a cartridge reception cavity, said cartridge reception cavity adapted to receive said cartridge;   a take-up reel located within said adaptor housing laterally adjacent said cartridge reception cavity, said take-up reel having a flange, said flange having a plurality of gear-form teeth located around the periphery of said flange forming a take-up reel gear flange;   gear train means for driving said supply reel gear flange and for driving said take-up reel gear flange;   said gear train means including,   direction reversing subassembly means for altering the direction of rotation of at least a portion of said gear trains means in response to the direction of rotation of said motor means;   said direction reversing subassembly means including;   a transfer gear arm, adapted for movement through an arc, centered about a first pivot axis, from a first position to a second position,   a transfer gear located on said transfer gear arm mounted for rotation about a first rotation axis;   whereby said transfer gear arm moves from said first position to said second position in response to the direction of rotation of said motor means, said first position corresponding to a first gear ratio, and said second position corresponding to a second gear ratio different from said first gear ratio;   motor means located within said adaptor housing coupled to said gear train means for supplying rotational motion to said gear train means;   power means coupled to said motor means for supplying power to said motor means;   initiation means located within said adaptor housing coupled to said motor means for starting an internal wind cycle and for starting an internal rewind cycle;   termination means located within said adaptor housing coupled to said motor means for stopping said internal wind cycle and for stopping said internal rewind cycle;   whereby said tape is moved from said supply reel toward said take-up reel during said internal wind cycle and said tape is moved from said take-up reel toward said supply reel during said internal rewind cycle.   
     
     
       15. A motorized adaptor for use with a cartridge of the type having a single supply reel, said single supply reel adapted to store tape, and having a length of tape wound thereon, said supply reel having a flange, said flange having a plurality of gear-form teeth on the periphery of said flange forming a supply reel gear flange, said adaptor comprising: an adaptor housing having a cartridge reception cavity, said cartridge reception cavity adapted to receive said cartridge;   a take-up reel located within said adaptor housing laterally adjacent said cartridge reception cavity, said take-up reel having a flange, said flange having a plurality of gear-form teeth located around the periphery of said flange forming a take-up reel gear flange;   gear train means for driving said supply reel gear flange and for driving said take-up reel gear flange;   said gear train means including,   direction reversing subassembly means for altering the direction of rotation of at least a portion of said gear trains means in response to the direction of rotation of said motor means;   wherein said direction reversing subassembly means includes;   a transfer gear arm, adapted for movement through an arc, centered about a first pivot axis, from a first position to a second position;   a transfer gear located on said transfer gear arm mounted for rotation about a first rotation axis;   whereby said transfer gear arm moves from said first position to said second position in response to the direction of rotation of said motor means, said first position corresponding to a first gear rotation direction, and said second position corresponding to a second gear rotation direction different from said first gear rotation direction;   motor means located within said adaptor housing coupled to said gear train means for supplying rotational motion to said gear train means;   power means coupled to said motor means for supplying power to said motor means;   initiation means located within said adaptor housing coupled to said motor means for starting an internal wind cycle and for starting an internal rewind cycle;   termination means located within said adaptor housing coupled to said motor means for stopping said internal wind cycle and for stopping said internal rewind cycle;   whereby said tape is moved from said supply reel toward said take-up reel during said internal wind cycle and said tape is moved from said take-up reel toward said supply reel during said internal rewind cycle.   
     
     
       16. A motorized adaptor for use with a cartridge of the type having a single supply reel, said single supply reel adapted to store tape, and having a length of tape wound thereon, said supply reel having a flange, said flange having a plurality of gear-form teeth on the periphery of said flange forming a supply reel gear flange, said adaptor comprising: an adaptor housing having a cartridge reception cavity, said cartridge reception cavity adapted to receive said cartridge;   a take-up reel located within said adaptor housing laterally adjacent said cartridge reception cavity, said take-up reel having a flange, said flange having a plurality of gear-form teeth located around the periphery of said flange forming a take-up reel gear flange;   gear train means for driving said supply reel gear flange and for driving said take-up reel gear flange;   said gear train means including,   direction reversing subassembly means for altering the direction of rotation of at least a portion of said gear trains means in response to the direction of rotation of said motor means;   said gear train means including,   clapper gear subassembly means for engaging said gear train means with either said take-up reel gear flange or said supply reel gear flange in response to the direction of rotation of said motor means;   wherein said clapper gear subassembly means includes,   a clapper gear arm, adapted for movement through an arc, centered about a second pivot axis, from a first position to a second position;   a clapper gear located on said transfer gear arm mounted for rotation about a second rotation axis;   whereby said clapper gear arm moves from said first position to said second position in response to the direction of rotation of said motor means, said first position corresponding to engagement with said take-up reel gear flange, and said second position corresponding to engagement with said supply reel gear flange;   motor means located within said adaptor housing coupled to said gear train means for supplying rotational motion to said gear train means;   power means coupled to said motor means for supplying power to said motor means;   initiation means located within said adaptor housing coupled to said motor means for starting an internal wind cycle and for starting an internal rewind cycle;   termination means located within said adaptor housing coupled to said motor means for stopping said internal wind cycle and for stopping said internal rewind cycle;   whereby said tape is moved from said supply reel toward said take-up reel during said internal wind cycle and said tape is moved from said take-up reel toward said supply reel during said internal rewind cycle.   
     
     
       17. A motorized adaptor for use with a cartridge of the type having a single supply reel, said single supply reel adapted to store tape, and having a length of tape wound thereon, said supply reel having a flange, said flange having a plurality of gear-form teeth on the periphery of said flange forming a supply reel gear flange, said adaptor comprising: an adaptor housing having a cartridge reception cavity, said cartridge reception cavity adapted to receive said cartridge;   a take-up reel located within said adaptor housing laterally adjacent said cartridge reception cavity, said take-up reel having a flange, said flange having a plurality of gear-form teeth located around the periphery of said flange forming a take-up reel gear flange;   gear train means for driving said supply reel gear flange and for driving said take-up reel gear flange;   motor means located within said adaptor housing coupled to said gear train means for supplying rotational motion to said gear train means;   power means coupled to said motor means for supplying power to said motor means;   said power means including a battery;   initiation means located within said adaptor housing coupled to said motor means for starting an internal wind cycle and for starting an internal rewind cycle;   termination means located within said adaptor housing coupled to said motor means for stopping said internal wind cycle and for stopping said internal rewind cycle;   whereby said tape is moved from said supply reel toward said take-up reel during said internal wind cycle and said tape is moved from said take-up reel toward said supply reel during said internal rewind cycle.